Mets notes: Steven Matz is finally 'growing up'

PORT ST. LUCIE — Steven Matz looked like a pro in his second start of spring Monday, but his final pitching line wouldn’t show it. Matz allowed four earned runs on five hits (one home run) with two walks and two strikeouts over 2.2 innings during the Mets’ 9-3 loss to Boston.

Matz said he wasn’t focusing on the box score and instead just wanted to perfect his curveball, which he lost command of on Monday. Several of Boston’s hits came on Matz’s 0-2 curveballs because he kept going back to the pitch throughout his outing.

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Callaway was impressed with Matz’s ability to make a mid-game change and slow it down on the mound.

“That's unbelievable,” Callaway said. “He's growing up. He probably wouldn't of done that last year. He would've been worried about the result. Now he’s worried about getting better. Even though he gave up the 0-2 hits, so what. At least he was working on his craft and trying to get better.”

HOMER HAPPY

Pete Alonso continued his torrid start and mashed his second home run of spring training on Monday against the Astros. Alonso leads the Mets in Grapefruit League homers after depositing the moonshot on the FITTEAM Ballpark left-field lawn.

The 24-year-old is vying for the Mets open first-base job, alongside 23-year-old Dominic Smith. Smith went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Monday, keeping his batting average at a steady .500. Callaway said as long as Alonso and Smith continue to one-up each other for the job, it’ll make the decision to pick an Opening Day first baseman increasingly difficult – ultimately a good sign for the team.

METS RENEW DIAZ

The team agreed to terms with 25 of 26 pre-arbitration players – exception being Edwin Diaz. The All-Star closer’s contract was instead renewed at $607,425, which implies both sides were not in agreement.

General manager Brodie Van Wagenen said there was a formula in place for pre-arbitration players before Van Wagenen joined the organization. The formula details treating each player equally so that there is a consistent measure in the model.

“I absolutely think from my communication with the agent and the players, there is not any animosity coming back,” Van Wagenen said.